Modeling



Patented Dec. 7, 1926.

BTAYES LEON L. WALTERS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MODELING-l No Drawing.

This invention relatesto modeling-2 and it comprises a process of making facsimile reproductions of natural objects, such as animals and plants, of accurate dimensions and contours, having various colored portions within tie. true surfaces wherein a hollow mold of the object tobe reproduced is made and such mold is interiorly coated in suitable colorings, a backing layer is thereafter placed on the coating or coatings thus produced and the model thus produced is detached. from the mold; all as more fully hereinafter set forth and as claimed.

In making reproductions or replicas of animals and plants for museumpurposes, etc. it is the custom to make a model of the ohject and thereafter to decorate it with the aid of appropriate paints or varnishes. In so doing, however, the applied colors are above the true surface given by moldin If for example an object be used for making-a mold in plaster of Paris, and a replica cast from such mold, the surfaces of the replica at this timeare exactly those of the original object. by painting a portion red, the layer of paint rises above what may becalled the true surfaces; the contour of the portion is not true.

In the present invention I have devised a simple way of obtaining accurately formed and colored facsimiles of natural objects having a true surface wherein in lieu of first making the model and then decorating it, I place a properly colored layer upon the interior surface of the mold in such manner as may be necessary and thereafter cast or form my reproduction upon and attached to said colored layer. By so doing the colored portions are Within, instead of upon, the true surface; and the surface has a more life-like appearance than can otherwise be produced. In casting a mask of a face, for example, after the mold is obtained I may coat its interior surface with layers having the desired colors in the desired locations and thereafter complete the cast in said coated mold. In so doing the colors are within the true surface and the life-like appearance is much enhanced.

Most natural objects are to a certain degree translucent with difierent colors or hues in different layers and through the translucent surface layer various colors are seen superimposed one upon the other. This effect can be readily reproduced in the present invention it being simply necessary to coat If now the replica is colored, say

Application filed September 10, 19 23. .serialiflc. 661,983.

theinterior of the-mold with a layer having the desired coloration and then upon this layer place other layers of material of other color, and so on. The translucence of the natural colors may be simulated by forming the layers: of pyroxyline or celluloid with the coloring materials added. In the human hand for example, there is a certain coloration in the superficial dermal layer while below this and showing through it, is the clifferent color of the veins and other deeper elements. In working under the present invention, in forming a replica of a hand I first apply to the interior of the mold colored layers appropriately prepared to imitate the dermal layers. Upon this is applied the veinous and other colorations in their proper locations. Appropriately col-- ored-pyroxylin may be used. After this is done a stifi ening layer can be applied and the whole withdrawn from the mold. In reproducing. an object in the manner de scribed, after the coloration is completed and priorto withdrawing the layer formed upon the. interior of the mold, the model maybe further reinforced or s ipported by papier mach or other appropriate materials.

Informing the main body of the model under the present invention, any suitable plastic materials may be employed. The models may be made of plaster of Paris, electro-deposited copper, wax, etc. Any suitable transparent or non-transparent colored varnishes, paints, bronzing media, etc. may be used for the colored surface layers. F or many purposes pyroXylin or celluloid varnishes made with the usual solvents and carrying dissolved anilin dyes are desirable. The translucence of dyed celluloid makes it a particularly desirable material for the surface of a translucent'life-like reproduction of many natural objects.

In a specific embodiment of the present invent-ion, if a snake, such as a garter snake, to be reproduced, a hollow mold is first made with the aid of the snake, using; the usual materials; plaster, wax, etc. Oil examining a living garter snake it will be noted, especially on the abdomen, that there is a horny and very nearly transparent epidermis, while the colors (themselves to a degree translucent) are primarily in the areas be low this. In reproducing this effect, I first apply to the interior of the mold, on the addominal area, a coating of nearly transparent pyroxylin varnish. Upon this are next applied suitable and appropriately colored layers. IT or the greenish portion a pyroxylin varnish carrying a little greenish pigment may be employed. For the black spots colors ground in linseed oil may be used. The line-like edging of the abdominal plates may be reproduced using pen and ink. After the applied layers are dried a coating of cel luloid varnish in a plastic or semi-fluid condition may be added to give a backing and form a compound layer of the thickness desired. After drying the mold may be broken away or OtllGIWlSG detached from the object.

Owing to the color problems involved it is often desirable to reproduce certain mammals in the manner described. In the case of a porpoise for example (Which is a hairless mammal) a hollow mold may be taken from the dead specimen after it has been posed in a life-like position or a mold may be taken from the skin after it has been ad justed on a clay form. I then form the colored layers upon the interior of the mold applying the prepared colored material to the mold in the'proper places, and finally back the model with alternate layers of screen Wire, burlap and papier mach. In cases Where the skin is partly hairy the hollow mold may be made, for example, by pouring hot Wax on the animal. The Wax runs through the hair, takes an accurate mold of the skin surface and on hardening holds the hair solidly fixed in its natural position. The skin is then loosened and detached from the hair roots and from the mold, either by nat ural maceration or by use of chemicals. This leaves the mold with the hair roots protruding from its surface. In the coloring process that follows, the hair-roots are surrounded and firmly anchored in the colored material. The coloring layer and its supporting interior structure being completed, the Wax exterior mold is finally removed leaving the hair in the model. Kerosene or other solvents may be used in securing comobjects having local colorations Within their surfaces Which comprises making a hollow exact mold of such object, forming. the surface layers of the reproduction by'casting locally Within said mold appropriately col-, cred material at appropriate places and thereafter forming stiffening layers by casting other material Within said surface layers.

2. The process of making facsimile reproductions exact in form and color of objects having local colorations Within the surfaces which comprises making an exact mold of the object tobe reproduced, casting first within said mold the surface layers of the reproduction in pyroxyline having locally appropriate colorations, thereafter completing the cast in other material and removing the mold from said completed cast.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

LEON L. WALTERS. 

